Job 24:16

Modern

In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves in, never to experience the light.

Traditional

In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.

Literal

In the darkness one digs into houses, by day they seal themselves in; they do not know the light.

Latin

Perfodit in tenebris domos, sicut in die condixerant sibi, et ignoraverunt lucem.

Hebrew

English

In the dark they dig through houses; by day they shut themselves in, never to experience the light.

This list of criminal behaviors first emphasizes crimes against weak people (24:2–12). Then it examines the criminals themselves (24:13–17).

Theme notes and profiles

John 3:20
Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Ephesians 5:11–13
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Job 24:13
Then there are those who rebel against the light, not knowing its ways or staying on its paths.
Ezekiel 12:5–7
As they watch, dig through the wall and carry your belongings out through it.
Job 38:12–13
In your days, have you commanded the morning or assigned the dawn its place,
Matthew 6:19
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
Exodus 22:2–3
If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.
Ezekiel 12:12
And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.